Sustainable Places Specialist - 19971

1
South East
West Malling
Orchard House
Staff Grade 5
Permanent
Full Time
Operational Delivery
£36,389
We are looking for a self-motivated and enthusiastic person to join our friendly and supportive team in our mission to ensure sustainable growth in the South East. This role focuses on using leadership skills and environmental knowledge to ensure the Environment Agency is able to influence sustainable development and growth in the South East. You will need to work together with our planning and technical teams, national colleagues and directors to ensure that the right environmental infrastructure and processes are in place to protect and enhance the environment.

You will manage the EA input to complex development projects and client relationships as well as advising on ways to reduce flood risk, improve and restore rivers, protect our groundwater from pollution and safeguard future supply and adapt to a changing climate.

Job responsibilities:

• Developing and maintaining effective partnerships with development clients, internal teams and
Local Planning Authorities
• Leading and improving advice and responses on complex major projects including Nationally
Significant Infrastructure Projects
• Influencing planning decisions and local plan policies
• Identifying and implementing improvements and efficiencies to our ways of working
• Supporting delivery of our incident management duties
The Sustainable Places team influences development across Kent and South London. We do this in partnership with internal and external stakeholders to deliver EA2025 goals.

We use a place based approach to influence local plan strategies, Nationally Strategic Infrastructure Projects and planning applications. We work closely with technical teams to evaluate environmental data, evidence and assessments associated with planning consultations.

We also influence internal strategies across the business and develop relationship management with external stakeholders.
Proven experience of:
• Dealing with and advising on complex development issues and / or on complex environmental
problems;
• Successfully influencing organisations and individuals;
• Communicating strategic and technical issues to a range of audiences;
• Working with others to deliver environmental benefits;
• Problem solving and the ability to work on complex issues /opportunities and in partnership with
internal and external stakeholders to deliver shared goals;
• Team working skills and experience in managing and prioritising workloads to deliver team goals
and influence decision making process.

Desirable experience:
• Experience of working in planning and development sector;
• Knowledge and understanding of planning system and legal framework;
• Experience of managing client based projects and budgets;
• Reviewing and improving processes and procedures;
• Coaching/mentoring experience;
• Professional membership such as RTPI, CIWEM, CGeog etc.
We encourage you to apply and share your skills and successes in helping us deliver our goals. We are an inclusive organisation and warmly welcome applicants from culturally and/or socially diverse backgrounds.

The role will be based in our Addington office, near West Malling, although we are currently working remotely. Interviews will be held late November/early December.

For further details please contact Jo Beck on 0208 474 6713 or jo.beck@environment-agency.gov.uk, Joanna Hodgson on 0208 474 6716 or Joanna.hodgson@environment-agency.gov.uk or James Togher on james.togher@environment-agency.gov.uk

07/11/2021, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Builds and Sustains Relationships
Please provide an example of a time you have demonstrated the competency set out below (the answer you provide will be assessed as part of your application):

Develops and maintains effective working relationships.
Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
Please provide an example of a time you have demonstrated the competency set out below (the answer you provide will be assessed as part of your application):

Identifies and seizes the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes and without, compromising quality or accuracy.
Influences and Persuades Others
Please provide an example of a time you have demonstrated the competency set out below (the answer you provide will be assessed as part of your application):

Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.
Managing the Agency’s Interaction in the Land Use Planning Process
Please provide an example of a time you have demonstrated the competency set out below (the answer you provide will be assessed as part of your application):

Effectively co-ordinates the Environment Agency’s response to planning consultations to protect & enhance the environment.
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.